Chaotically Zen - Liquid Diet

Chaotically Zen

Liquid Diet
self-released; 2015

3.6 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

In general bands don't debut with a double album for a whole slew of reasons. The main reason is you are trying to establish a solid fan base while not going bombarding them with so much material they are already sick of you. This logic went completely out the window for the band Chaotically Zen whose debut Liquid Diet is an impressive sixteen songs. There is no filler on this album. Every song is a meaty tune with its own vibe.  

If there is one word I can say to describe this album it would be "organ". Organ is all over the place and really is the other focal point besides the vocals. It permeates the song and also seemed to be prevalent within the mix itself.

The most obvious reference point to the songs would be The Doors. There are songs such as "Ode To Woman" which sound like The Doors 2.0. The vocalist sounds like Morrison, has similar lyrics to the late poet while also sounding eerily similar to the music. Luckily, the band finds songs which establish their own identity as well. One such song is the exceptional "Lullaby". The vocalist sounds distinctly his own and the addition or orchestral strings was a big plus. I obviously preferred the latter and hope the band continues to establish their own identity instead of going the way of feeling like an homage.

This would be a good time to make notable points. The band from a technical standpoint is tight. There are a number of notable guitar solos, organ parts, etc scattered throughout the sixteen songs. The vocalist also has a number of exceptional performances. Take for instance "Leaving Home" which is a soulful, dynamic performance.

Even though Liquid Diet would have been more effective and impressionable in my opinion if you trimmed some of the fat and were left with best eight to ten songs, it's still a very enjoyable listen.

At the end of the day Chaotically Zen are on a good trajectory but also like most bands in their embryonic stage lack the definition that can catapult a band's presence and make them break. Time will tell if the band can take it to the next level.

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